First Federal Bank of Florida Thriving, Growing for 54 Years

For more than 54 years, First Federal Bank of Florida has proven to be one of the most successful banks in North Florida. Its success stems from various innovations and financial services, but its true success comes from the unparalleled service that customers have come to value from the bank.

Opened in 1962 in Live Oak, First Federal Bank of Florida soon expanded into Hamilton, Lafayette, and Columbia Counties. Today, First Federal now operates 17 full-service branches in 10 Florida counties – including its newest branch in Panama City – that offer a number of financial services, including personal and business banking, lending, and mortgages.

“Despite the fact that we are now a billion dollar bank, I am always proud to say that we are the same bank that we were in 1962,” said Keith Leibfried, president of First Federal Bank of Florida. “And I contribute a lot of our growth to the stability of our bank. We’ve had the same senior management members for more than 20 years and that our culture and personnel have consistently focused on favorable experiences for our customers.

“We pride ourselves on being a personal bank and want to get to know our customers better,” Leibfried continued. “We want to develop a personal bond with our customers. We feel it’s important to differentiate ourselves from our competitors and the business environment as a whole by reaching out to the customers and encouraging that personal reliable relationship that is disappearing in the business community due to mergers, acquisitions and consolidations.”

First Federal is active in the North Florida community, sponsoring various events and projects that benefit local citizens. In 1995, First Federal established the First Federal Foundation, a program that supports the various charitable needs of the residents of the local communities. Additionally, the First Federal Way was established which encourages staff members to contribute to their favorite charity and the bank will match their personal contribution. Last year contributions made through the program were in excess of $40,000.

First Federal Bank of Florida is also one of the newest partners of Outdoors360.

“A part of the culture we’ve established of being a good community bank is partnering with businesses within the community,” Leibfried said. “Affiliating with businesses like Outdoors360 benefits everyone involved. If they’re successful, we’re successful. And we definitely want our local businesses to succeed.”

More information about First Federal Bank of Florida can be found by visiting www.ffsb.com.